The story of Job is a well-known one, yet often oversimplified. In Job 1:8, clearly, God is confident in Job's righteousness and fear of God when he asks the question, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'"
The Storms of Life
As a result of this conversation, the enemy is allowed to test Job. Job's life quickly spiraled downhill from there. His livestock, servants, and children vanished suddenly. Serious health problems plagued him. Even his wife and friends turned against him. This narrative can elicit empathy and understanding from us, because, just like Job, we too often experience external pressures and personal attacks from the enemy that mentally, emotionally, and spiritually drain us.
The enemy seeks to distort our perceptions of God and His will while in our navigating of life's turbulence. If we focus solely on what our eyes can physically see, we will fall into a trap, overlooking the larger spiritual realm playing out behind the scenes.
When we instead rely on our faith in God, trusting in His goodness, we will counteract deceitful tactics and foster hope and expectation.
Trusting God During Storms
Despite not knowing what lied ahead, Job did not sin or blame God. He weathered the storm of trials and persevered--Job 11:18. (NASB)
"Then you would trust, because there is hope; you would look around and rest securely."
This verse beautifully illustrates that our trust in God yields hope, and our rest in Him ensures security, irrespective of our circumstances.
Throughout Job’s story, we learn that following God might lead us through seasons of fierce storms and turbulent times. God's seeming silence may puzzle and hurt us, and we might feel abandoned and forgotten. However, God's divine sovereignty and righteousness assure us of a secured outcome. Job's story culminates in restoration and double blessing, a testament to his unwavering trust in God.
"Resting in God" is a pursuit that needs our daily attention. Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, and discouragement are tools that the enemy uses to shift our focus away from God and His love for us. These are the "silent killers" that could affect us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Despite the strain and pressures of life, we need to stand firm and root ourselves in the truth of God's love and care for us.
Prayer Points
As we reflect on Job's story and its implications for our own lives, several prayer points emerge. Firstly, may we continuously strive to be blameless and upright. Secondly, even in the throes of hardship and suffering, may our faith in God and His goodness remain unshaken. Lastly, may we rest securely in God, trusting Him completely with our lives. By doing so, we can defeat the enemy's deceitful tactics.
Indeed, the rest of God secures us: "Then you would trust because there is hope, and you would look around and rest securely." This serves as a powerful reminder that the storms of life may rage around us, but our security rests in Him who commands the wind and the waves, our infinitely loving and supremely powerful God.
Remember, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.